Eily’s Report – 9th January

Dia is Mhuire díobh go léir a cáirde and welcome to my Report.

My first of 2024, how many more will follow is known only to God, but we’ll press on and see what He will send. I trust you are all well after the Festive Season. The first week of the New Year is already behind us so let us waste no minute or hour to make the  months ahead good for ourselves and those around us.

Thanks to our hardworking priests the Christmas period went very well with Masses, confessions and other Christmas ceremonies in as many churches in the Diocesan list as they could fit in. Sadly a few masses had to be cancelled but as everybody has their own transport these days going a mile or so to get Mass wasn’t a great inconvenience. Our church choir excelled themselves ,they sang for more than half an hour before the 9.30 Christmas Night Mass. It gave a great feeling of peace and  joy to sit and listen to them as the people gathered in filling the seats around the church with families. Some  home from far and near to be with their loved ones for the Holy Festival of Christmas. There were some solo singers who almost raised the roof and I’m told they represented the Polish and Ukrainian people in our midst.  While our hearts go out to them in their terrible plight, it was gratifying to know that they were made welcome to be part of our celebration of the Birth of Christ. Jesus is the reason getting top priority.

I could not be but impressed by how tall the young people have grown. Dads that in my eyes looked like tall enough men, looking up at the even taller sons. There are few times now when we have regular gatherings especially since the terrible years of the pandemic so  the Christmas Season is made all the more significant by the homecoming of so many of our young people who have sought their schooling or livelihoods in foreign climes.  The Pipe Band was great and  Our Christmas Crib looked radiant and inviting. It goes up every time, nobody seems to know who does the work but like so many other features in the life our church activities that go ahead every year, we are truly blessed by the numbers of volunteers who come to the rescue to ensure the life of our beloved House of God. Our wonderful Post Office Staff helped us the get our posting done on time while all the time through the wonderful service of text Alert, our Gardai were keeping us informed of any suspicious happenings in the area. All very much appreciated. Many thanks to Fr. John and all who helped in any way to make our Christmas ceremonies so meaningful.

Our Christmas period enjoyed a unique lift of course when one of our own came to entertain us along the way. Young Darren Kiely, son of Wm. and Norma(Buckley) has already carved out a niche for himself in the United States as singer supreme and took time out from his busy schedule to play to his own town. The GAA/Community Hall was parked to capacity where the audience were in awe of their own local lad. Personally I feel drawn to Darren. His people were our neighbours at home in Liscahane.  The place where I went scoraiochting with my Dad as a child. They were also in our Station area and in our circle at threshing time and so on. Darren donated the proceeds of his concert to our local GAA fund but further to that he donated a personal cheque for €1,000 to the local St. V de Paul fund. Many of his fans travelled to other venues around the country for the pleasure of hearing their young idol Darren Kiely one more time before he returned to the States where he is enjoying huge popularity. We wish him God’s Blessing and continued success all the way.

Things are beginning to wake up again after the Christmas Holidays. Already the Cullen Special Needs association resumed their popular sponsored Weigh-In last night in the local hall and will continue there for the next ten weeks. Just the time to go and shed the extra pounds that were put on with the over-indulgence of Christmas before they take root.  Mairéad Reen will be there to carry out the weighing etc. and  Hannelie will put you through your paces with exercise to music. Sounds like a lovey way to shed those extra pounds while at the same time supporting a very worthy cause.

Our Active retired Association will return to their many activities. Keep fit classes begin on Friday January 15th. Ring 086 140 9225 for details.

Christmas decorations if not already down will be packed away this week in readiness for next Christmas. Normally there is an abundance to stuff to be recycled.  All the cardboard boxes, the beautiful wrappings which made the contents look so inviting must all be consigned to our wonderful facility on the edge of town. The staff there are always very helpful and with a man at the entrance to take the money, you don’t even need to have the proper coins. You’ll get your change with a smile from him. All very pleasing, except for one thing. Not just for myself but for many others who go there we find the sign posting very poor, almost invisible at the place where we dispose of our bottles and cans. There are many varieties to go into the proper places. Food cans. Drinks cans, clear glass, brown glass, green glass and so on but the writing of each is almost impossible to read. I’d say the writing has never been renewed since day one and it can be pretty tiresome to travel up and down between the bins to find the ones you need. We would be delighted and relieved if this problem could be seen to as we take on another year of keeping  our places litter free.

The Wallis Arms Hotel played host to stars of screen and radio last Saturday night for the glittering party held specially in honour of the extremely popular Mary (Andrew) Hickey. She crossed the line into her 90^th year in style. With her family and friends in full support.  They were all there including her daughter Aileen and son-in -law Matt Cooper both of TV fame. The hotel excelled itself with a wonderful buffet meal before the one and only Peter Lane of Blackwater Sound fame set the ball rolling for a night of music and dancing and songs. As is the norm for Mary at such functions, she held the floor throughout the night, even leading the conga for good measure. Everybody was delighted for Mary on her big night which she had been planning for and dreaming of for the past year.

And dear Mary we wish you many Happy Returns.

Set dancing in Aubane on Monday nights and in Ballydaly on Wednesday nights. 45Drives in Millstreet on Tuesday, Cullen on Wednesday and Ballydaly on Sunday nights all with an 8.30 start. Bridge also available.

The first monthly Meeting of the Community Council in 2024 will be held at the Adult Learning Centre in Tuesday, January 16, at 8.30. All members please attend.

There is no Mass on tomorrow Wednesday. Eucharistic Adoration in Millstreet Church every Tuesday following the ten a.m.  Mass until 7.30pm.

The lotto Draw will resume this week following the Christmas Break. The draw will be held on Sunday night with a Jackpot of €15,000. Get your tickets right away.

Please take care in the frosty weather. Don’t be fooled be the radiant sunshine, which may lure you out to take a stroll or perhaps take down a  piece of Christmas decor. Icy patches lie unseen and may catch you off guard. Also beware of the fog . It’s not a time to venture out if it can be avoided. Wear your wrist alarm at all times, and keep your mobile phone close. Days and weeks after Christmas can be lonely and sad times for those who had to say goodbye to loved ones at the end of the Fest. A listening ear may be a great help for some.

Our hearts go out to all those who are ill or worried about their health, and we offer a sincere word of thanks to God for the wonderful recovery of so many in recent times.

I wish you all a very safe, healthy and successful New Year.

Thought for the week, by Helen Keller, optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.

Sinn a bfuil a cáirde, Slán is beannacht Dé libh go leir.